Garden-tool.



Patented Nov. l3. I900. H:.4-L. CHILDERS.

GAR DEN TOOL.

Apphrat on fil d July 5 1900 (No Model.)

GUM/

NTTED STATES PATENT FFICE.

GARDEN-TOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661,790, dated November 13, 1900.

Application filed July 5, 1900. Serial No. 22,561. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARVEY L. CHILDERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allerton, in the county of Wayne and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garden-Tools; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in garden-tools, and has for its object to provide a construction of tool by which implements of various kinds may be employed in connection with a common handle and adjusted to secure a firm engagement with the handle and to suit the kind of Work to be done; also, to provide a tool which is simple of construction and easy of manipulation.

The invention consists of a tool of this character embodying certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a garden-tool embodying my invention, showing the application of a double-shovel. attachment to the handle. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section thereof. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the slotted connecting-plate and the pivoted bolt and its connections. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of auxiliary attachments.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 represents the handle of the tool, provided at or near its center with a handhold 2 to adapt it to be handled with ease and celerity. At its outer or front end the handle carries a down wardlyprojecting hook or engaging device 3, extended from a suitable bracket or attachingplate 4, secured to the handle.

To the under side of the handle, at a point in rear of the hook and between the same and the handhold 2, is secured a bracket 4, having ears 5, to or between which is. pivoted the upper end of a swinging bolt 6. This bolt carries a wing-nut '7 and a threaded hand-clamp 8, adapted to engage the top and bottom portions of the object connected with the bolt. The bolt in connection with the hook at the forward end of the handle adapts the handle for the connection therewith of a variety of tools or implements useful in garden-work.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have shown a double-shovel attachment mounted on the handle. This attachment comprises a V- shaped frame composed of a pair of beams 9, carrying a pair of shovels and provided at their rear ends with corresponding eyes 10, which engage the bolt and are clamped between the wing-nut 7 and clamp 8. By loosening up said nut and clamp the beams may be swung laterally on the bolt as a fulcrum to adjust them relatively to each other, as desired, and by tightening the nut and clamp the beams may be firmly secured against lateral movement. The beams are adjustably connected through the medium of, a transverse connecting-plate 11, extending laterally from one beam and having an opening 12 for reception of the hook 3 and a longitudinal slot 13, through which passes a bolt 14 on the other beam and adj ustably connects the two beams together. By pivotally mounting the bolt 6 it may be swung forwardly or rearwardly to vary the distance between it and the hook 3, so that tools of differentlengths may be applied to the handle. The hook stays the tool and prevents it from swinging or shifting laterally or longitudinally under strain.

In Fig. 5 I have shown an attachment comprising a single beam 9, having an eye 10 at its rear end, a lateral connecting-plate 11, having an opening l2 to receive the hook 3, and a single shovel at its outer or front end. Instead of the shovel I may apply to the beam an ordinary stirring-plow or shovel attachment or a hoe for hilling up or laying by the crop, an onion-plow attachment, a small roller, or any other desired tool used for gardening. The mode of applying this form of attachment to the handle will be apparent.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a harrow attach- -ment comprising a V-shaped frame similar to the double-shovel frame, buthaving harrowteeth of the ordinary or any preferred form. I

The connecting-plate 11 in this attachment is not fixed to the beams, but is provided with an additional slot 13?, a bolt and Wing-nut being provided on each beam to clamp the plate.

It will be seen from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, that the invention provides a simple and convenient form of tool by which implements of various kinds may be employed in connection with a common handle and adjusted to suit the length of the tool and the kind of work v to be done. As stated, any preferred form of tool may be applied to the beam or beams, and the invention is not, therefore, limited to the use of the particular tools herein shown.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s

'1. In a garden-tool, a handle having front and rear connecting devices for the attachment of a tool thereto, the rear connecting device being pivotally mounted and adapted to adjustably engage the tool-beam, substantially as set forth.

2. In a garden-tool, a handle having front and rear connecting devices for the attachment of a tool thereto, said rear connecting device consisting of a bolt pivotally c0nnect ed thereto and adapted to adjustably engage the tool-beam, substantially as set forth.

3. In a'garden-tool, a handle having a'hook at its forward end, and a threaded bolt pivoted thereto in rear of the hook, said hook adapted to have a fixed and the bolt an adjustable engagement with a tool-beam.

4:. In a garden-tool, a tool-beam having an eye and a transverse connecting-plate, and a handle having a pivoted rear connecting member to adjustably engage said eye, and a front connecting member to detachably engage said plate, substantially as set forth.

5. In a garden-tool, a tool-beam having an apertured eye and a transverse connectingplate, and a handle having-a hook at its for- Ward end to engage the aperture in the plate, and a pivoted bolt in rear thereof to adjustably engage said eye.

6. In a garden-tool, the combination of beams provided at their rear ends with eyes, a connecting-plate adj ustably connecting said beams, a handle having at its forward end a hook to engage an aperture in said connecting-plate, a bolt pivoted to the handle and passed through said eyes, and fastening devices adj ustably seou ring the eyes to the bolt, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses,

' HARVEY L. CHILDERS. Witnesses:

T. J. MORGAN,

S. M. MoCoY. 

